BLACK BEAR – ★★★☆
This was one of my highly anticipated films for MIFF 2020. It was an interesting film in terms of genre, with elements of suspense, some humour, a bit experimental, and plenty of drama, and overall probably not something that can be pigeon-holed. Aubrey Plaza was great, as was Sarah Gadon (who starred in Indignation, one of my favourites from MIFF 2016). After a strong first part, I felt like the second part went a little longer than I’d have liked, but still worth watching.
EXILE – ★★★
Very nicely filmed, and well acted German film about the workplace environment of a ex-pat from Kosovo. Tension runs throughout the whole film as you follow in his path, not quite sure where the film is leading. Is he the victim? Is he overly-paranoid? Is he creating the tension himself? The themes were interesting, but it felt like it was keeping the audience on the outside, perhaps to make their own decisions. As the main character stood in front of a red curtain in the final scene, I was reminded of Twin Peaks, and like Twin Peaks the film ended without payoff. Sometimes the journey makes it worth it (Like in most of David Lynch’s work), but in this case it didn’t work for me.
THE GO-GO’S – ★★★☆
Documentary about the band. I’m familiar with the band and still recall the video of Vacation when it came out. Overall enjoyable story of the band. It was nice to see the members be able to look back with some degree of sensibility, but perhaps the story wasn’t entirely unpredictable. Congrats to them for the achievements they made.
MARONA’S FANTASTIC TALE – ★★★★
I really enjoyed the French animation “I Lost My Body” last year at MIFF 2019, so hoped that lightning might strike twice with this animation about the life of a dog. And, it did. What a touching, wonderful film. If you have a special dog in your life, I dare you to make it through without shedding a tear. See it if you get the chance.
BLOODY NOSE, EMPTY POCKETS – ★★★☆
Wonderful kind-of documentary about the last day of a Las Vegas bar before it closes forever. Except that it’s not in Las Vegas, and that it didn’t close down. The patrons though were real, or at least playing characters that resembled their own stories, as far as I could tell. If you’ve ever had a local where everybody knew your name, this did a good job of representing it, as well as showing several walks of life.
MAYOR – ★★★☆
Documentary that follows the re-elected Mayor of Ramallah, the capital of Palestine. Gripping to watch as it jumps from something almost light-hearted, almost like a real-life version of Parks & Recreation, to the complete opposite, showing heart stopping dramatic scenes as Israeli forces enter the town. Easily something that should be watched if you have the opportunity.
WET SEASON – ★★★
A film set in Singapore about a teacher and the relationship she has with her student. It tries to create a somewhat sympathetic view towards the relationship, but it didn’t really work for me. Overly long with little to maintain a lasting interest, but the performances were well done.
9TO5: THE STORY OF A MOVEMENT – ★★★★
Fantastic documentary about the women’s movement in America to push for equal rights for women in the workforce. I was aware of the film 9 to 5, but not aware of its origin in the movement and hard work of women before it. Depressingly, despite a push since the 1960s, women are still treated as second class in the workforce. I hope that by the end of 2020, we’ve all had enough time to reflect on the important things in this world, and that by the end of this decade or sooner, the world is a better place. If you’re not doing anything already, consider finding a local union to contribute to, or go directly to https://9to5.org and help out.
KUESSIPAN – ★★★★
Loved this French-Canadian drama about two First Nations girls who are life-long friends, and the exploration of how their lives go in separate directions. The difficulties that face the protagonist were well done, showing the various environmental and societal pressures that place so many barriers to the attempts at achieving their dreams.
ON THE RECORD – ★★★★☆
Should be mandatory viewing for just about everyone, especially young men. The stories that the brave women told about their treatment by men in power were distressing, and certainly lowered my already not very high opinion of the music industry. In this particular case, the added difficulties of being black women coming forward made it all the harder for them. But as they quite rightly pointed out, they were ones who were in a place to be heard. I feel for all the other women whose stories haven’t been told, or haven’t been listened to.
PAPER CHAMPIONS – no rating
After several heavy films I thought I’d finish the day with something lighter. Paper Champions is an Australian comedy filmed in not too far Geelong, about a printer salesman trying to find his confidence (or, as is repeatedly said, “Mana”). The trailer looked great, but it just didn’t launch for me and I stopped about halfway through, There was an awkwardness to the production that just didn’t click. I don’t have the heart to give it a bad rating as I think there was heart in it, and maybe after all the doom of previous films it was just the wrong place at the wrong time.
JUST 6.5 – ★★★☆
Iranian drama about police trying to fight a drug syndicate. Wasn’t terrible, but a little bit over-long and maybe a little overstated. The first part was interesting as it took on from the user level up the chain of dealers, but kind of plateaued after that.
BOYS STATE – ★★★★
Pretty incredible documentary about a week long event where young men create a pretend government by dividing between two parties and working to build into a government that matches that of Texas. Obviously, given it’s Texas, there’s a fair degree of right wing expressions, and with hundreds of 17 year old boys, testosterone and bro-ship seems rife. Many interesting moments where you see politics and a desire to win exceed personal ethics or morals. An extra mention for René Otero, a young man who stole the show, and who I can only hope has a bright future ahead, whatever he chooses to do.
SHIVA BABY – ★★★☆
A short (1hr 16m) American comedy about a young woman going to a wake, where she has to contend with family, friends of family, as well as her ex-girlfriend and a sugar daddy. If you like awkward and uncomfortable comedy, this will be right up your alley.
SERVANTS – ★★★
The black and white cinematography of this film is beautiful, but to be honest, the plot was a little hard for me to follow, possibly being the fourth film I saw today. It’s about two young priests entering a seminary and the conflict between the ideologies of the Catholic Church and the Czech government. Worth watching for the artful shots alone.
